INTRODUCTION

As of 2022, only 28% of Americans were satisfied with the federal government’s regulation of business (Gallup). According to the Regulatory Transparency Project, regulation often includes excessive paperwork, high costs to business and consumers, and other unnecessary burdens. With regulatory costs often “hidden” and much of the rulemaking being developed by bureaucrats and not via Congressional legislative avenues, the federal government’s regulation of business can result in inefficiencies and harm the most vulnerable in society. Specifically, “small businesses” may be most at risk of the costs of regulation, as they experience higher labor costs, greater overhead, and “onerous” regulations (Investopedia).

However, from the same Gallup survey, 74% of Americans are also unsatisfied with the size and influence of major corporations. Regulatory institutions such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Food and Drug Administration help to provide economic guardrails, protect workers, and ensure the safety of consumers and the American public (Investopedia). Other forms of regulations – such as grants, loans, and patent protection – also help to support business interests. Additionally, recent “notice-and-comment” rulemaking and “benefit-cost analysis” procedures for issuing new regulations have been implemented, with a goal to minimize regulatory costs (Regulatory Transparency Project).

So what should be done? This deliberation presents ten video clips, five articles, and numerous education activities to guide students through a review of the debate over whether bureaucratic regulations on businesses are good or bad for Americans. After a careful review of multiple perspectives, students will determine what should be done about business regulation and be presented with several optional extensions to take an active role in the debate.

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Objectives and Outcomes

• Students will be able to describe key vocabulary terms and concepts associated with the debate surrounding whether bureaucratic regulations on businesses are good or bad for Americans.
  
  
• Students will be able to identify and explain aspects of the debate surrounding whether bureaucratic regulations on businesses are good or bad for Americans, including those arguments related to consumer safety and welfare, costs for consumers and businesses, and business innovation and success.
  
  
• Students will be able to evaluate arguments related to the debate surrounding whether bureaucratic regulations on businesses are good or bad for Americans and formulate an opinion on this question.

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